Turkish PM says optimistic on presidential election

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday he believed Turkey would complete a presidential election due to start next week with "democratic maturity", dismissing fears of a clash with the secular elite.

In his first public comments since Gul announced his candidacy, Erdogan also said he fully supported his foreign minister's bid to become head of state, quashing speculation in some Turkish newspapers that he had not wanted Gul to run. (Reuters)